Keeping safe in the City

The chances of being a victim of crime or having an accident when out and about are very small. However, being cautious could prevent unnecessary damages.

Here are some simple and effective things we can all do to help reduce the chances of being a victim of crime and provide peace of mind. Also, if you are a victim of a violent crime, abuse, stalking or bullying, here are a list of charities that can offer support.

​Stalking is a chain of events and actions that puts another person in fear. Stalkers will use multiple and differing methods to harass their victims. These behaviours can include being followed, receiving malicious communications (calls, texts, emails, letters) and physical or sexual abuse. This type of behaviour is very frightening and causes a lot of fear and anxiety for the victim.

Whilst there is no set definition for stalking, it does encompass a variety of behaviours and actions that can be unpredictable, erratic and dangerous. A stalker could be anyone including a friend, family member or a stranger and correspondingly virtually anyone can become a victim of stalking. We are committed to helping victims of stalking in the City of London.

​Hate and harassment incidents can take many different forms, including verbal abuse, bullying or intimidation, physical attacks, threats, graffiti, arson, malicious online communication.

Everyone has the right to live safely and without fear. Experiencing any abuse, harassment or violence can be devastating. It may affect not only a person's safety, but every part of their life. In the City of London we have made it clear that this is unacceptable. Making someone feel in such a way is not civil, it is not right and in some cases it is criminal.

​Traditionally, Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) in the City has been linked to noise, licensed premises, drunk or rowdy behaviour, rough sleeping and inconsiderate road use.

Anti-social behaviour has been highlighted by the Government as a national priority, with emphasis nationally and locally on the risk, harm and vulnerability of victims, witnesses and repeat vulnerable locations. Whilst there has been a reduction in the past two years in ASB incidents in the City, a more focused plan will be put in place to reduce this further.

Support Services

Begging

The people on the streets of the City are often vulnerable and have a lot of problems. Our street outreach teams do all they can to help them and also work with the police to tackle any anti-social behaviour for example, aggressive begging.

Noise

The City has seen an increase in its population, workforce and the number of entertainment venues over the past few years. This has led to increases in noise throughout the year, which can cause disturbances for residents and premises.

If you are being disturbed by noise happening now or if you would like help or advice:

An 'out of hours noise response service is provided so this service is available 24/7 throughout the year.

Reporting

Anti-social behaviour covers a wide range of activities. It is any kind of repeated behaviour that is likely to cause harm, harassment or distress, and is often carried out by individuals who live or work near to you.

​Domestic abuse is about the misuse of power and control by one person on another, within the context of an intimate or family relationship. This abuse can be of many different varieties including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual or financial. This can also include instances of pushing, hitting, punching or stalking someone.

The cross-government definition of domestic abuse is:

"any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality."

Anyone can experience domestic abuse and it can happen in all kinds of relationships. There are no precursors to this, regardless of one's age, race, sex, sexuality, disability, wealth, geography or lifestyle. This abuse is not only restricted in one's home; domestic abuse can take place in the workplace, on the streets and anywhere else.

​A forced marriage is whereby one or both people do not – or in cases of people with learning difficulties, cannot consent to the marriage; and afterwards pressure or abuse is used. In the UK, this is acknowledged as a form of violence against women and men, domestic abuse and a serious abuse of human rights.

Just like other forms of domestic abuse, the pressure put on people can include physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and financial abuse. Whilst a forced marriage is illegal in England and Wales, taking someone overseas to force them to marry, whether or not the forced marriage takes place, is also against the law.

Honour based violence or crime can be best described as a collection of practices, which are used to control behaviour within families and/or other social groups to protect any perceived cultural and religious beliefs and/or honour. This is also a violation of one's human rights and is recognised as a form of domestic and/or sexual violence.

The Crown Prosecution Service, National Police Chiefs Council and other support groups define honour based violence or crime as:

"a crime or incident which has or may have been committed to protect or defend the honour of the family and/or community."

​Rape is unlawful sexual intercourse or any other sexual penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth of another person, with or without force, by a sex organ, other body part, or foreign object, without the consent of the victim.

Sexual assault or abuse is any type of sexual activity that a person does not agree to including but not exclusive to attempted rape, touching someone's body without their permission, incest or sexual contact with a child.

Victim Support provides a specialist service within the City of London for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and hate crime. This service is delivered by the Vulnerable Victim Coordinator, who provides support to individuals who live and work within the City of London.

The service offers confidential, free and non-judgmental emotional and practical support. The Vulnerable Victim Coordinator provides a flexible, responsive service lead by the needs of the client.